The leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch, has rejected her Nigerian identityBadenoch said she identifies more with the Yoruba ethnic group, which has given her a “very strong identity” than the Nigerian entityAccording to Badenoch, she has nothing in common with the people from the northern part of Nigeria
Henzodaily.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
London, United Kingdom – The leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch, said she is more a Yoruba woman than a Nigerian.
Badenoch rejected the Nigerian label, stating that she has nothing in common with the people from the northern part of the country.
Badenoch identifies more with the Yoruba ethnic group than the Nigerian entity.
Photo credit: Kemi Badenoch/Kashim Shettima
Source: Facebook
According to TheCable, Badenoch stated this during an interview with the Spectator on Thursday, December 12.
Henzodaily.ng recalls that Badenoch stated this after Vice President, Kashim Shettima, lambasted her for ‘denigrating’ Nigeria.
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Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s importance as the largest black nation and its projected population growth by 2050, despite Badenoch’s comments.
He stressed the importance of migrants in driving innovation and economic progress, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting their rights.
Badenoch said she is proud of her Yoruba ancestry which has given her a “very strong identity”.
She was born Olukemi Adegoke to Nigerian Yoruba parents in the United Kingdom before her last name changed to Badenoch after she married a Scottish banker.
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba]. That’s what I really am,” she said.
“I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where the Islamism is, those were our ethnic enemies, and yet you end up being lumped in with those people.”
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Meanwhile, Henzodaily.ng reported that Bashir Ahmad, Special Assistant on Digital Communications to Muhammadu Buhari, responded strongly to Kemi Badenoch’s remarks, asserting that Nigeria does not need her public relations efforts.
Ahmad highlighted the significant contributions of notable Nigerians like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed, and Dr. Akin Adesina in promoting Nigeria’s image globally.
He urged Badenoch to focus on her chosen country and stop dragging Nigeria into her quest for validation
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Source: Henzodaily.ng